Kim Whittlestone successfully prosecutes historic rape and sexual abuse case
February 19, 2021
Kim Whittlestone from Exchange Chambers has successfully prosecuted a historic rape and sexual abuse case at Carlisle Crown Court.
69-year-old Keswick farmer, Raymond Harrison , was convicted of the historical rapes and sexual abuse of one schoolgirl and molesting another youngster.
Harrison had denied a total of 12 charges: eight involving the repeated rape, indecent assaults and acts of indecency with one girl; and four relating to indecent assaults on the other girl.
He went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court, insisting there was “absolutely nothing at all” in the reports of sexual abuse by the girls. But he was convicted of all 12 charges – 11 unanimously and one by a majority verdict of 11-1.
Harrison was warned by trial judge, Recorder Ciaran Rankin, that the “only outcome” for his serious crimes is immediate custody, and told he must also now sign the sex offenders’ register.
Both females were said to have kept quiet for many years before making disclosures to police as adults during interviews which took place in 2017.
Harrison was granted conditional bail until sentencing on 19 April 2021.
Link to BBC News:
